Bran Cereal Muffins

This very simple recipe begins with crushed bran cereal making for a dense, hearty breakfast muffin, which is also low in fat and sugar keeping it healthier than many muffin recipes. I use bran cereal with raisins and add ground cinnamon, or apple pie spice, for extra sweetness and flavor. These muffins make for a fast, good-for-you breakfast on a busy morning. Blessings...

Recipe:

3 cups bran cereal flakes with raisins, crushed into small pieces, but not finely crushed.
3/4 cup unbleached flour
1/2 cup whole wheat flour
1/4 cup sugar
1 tbsp. baking powder
1 tsp. ground cinnamon or 1-1/2 tsp. apple pie spice
1 egg
1 cup 1% milk
1/4 cup vegetable oil or light olive oil

1. In a large bowl, combine first 6 ingredients.
2. In a small bowl, whisk together the egg, milk and oil.
3. Pour egg mixture into dry ingredients and mix with a spoon until well-combined.
4. Grease 12 medium muffin cups and fill each about 2/3 full.
5. Bake in a 400 degree oven for 15 to 20 minutes or until muffins test done with a toothpick. There should be a few crumbs on the toothpick or the muffins will be far too dry.

Yield: 12 muffins
161 calories each
2.7 gms. fiber each

Healthy Snack Bars

This kid-friendly snack is made with healthy ingredients like peanuts, raisins, applesauce, bran and oatmeal. These bars remind me of a breakfast cookie; nutrition on the run. I love them for a snack or quick pick-me-up when I get hungry. I adapted this recipe from one that I clipped out of "Woman's Day Magazine" years ago when my son was a child. Blessings...

Recipe:

1 cup quick-cooking oatmeal
1/2 cup unbleached flour
1/3 cup unprocessed bran
1/2 tsp. baking soda
1/2 tsp. cinnamon
1/4 tsp. salt, optional
1/4 cup butter, softened
1/2 cup packed brown sugar
1/4 cup unsweetened, natural applesauce
1 egg
1 tsp. vanilla
1 cup chopped peanuts
1/2 cup raisins (other dried fruit could also be used)

1. Combine oats, flour, bran, soda, cinnamon and salt; set aside
2. In a large bowl cream butter and sugar. Beat in egg, applesauce and vanilla until combined.
3. Stir in oat mixture; mix well. Stir in peanuts and raisins using a spoon.
4. Pat evenly in a greased 9 x 9-inch pan. Bake in a 350 degree oven for 17 to 20 minutes or until toothpick inserted in center comes out clean.
5. Cool on wire rack. Cut into bars.

Yield: 20 bars
118 calories each
1.7 gms. fiber

Fruit Bran Muffins

Bran muffins are a favorite of mine, and this recipe from Better Homes and Gardens "75 Years of All-Time Favorites" cookbook is no exception. What sets this recipe apart from other recipes, is the addition of fresh fruit rather than raisins. That isn't to say that raisins couldn't be used; my favorite addition is cut-up dried apricots in place of the fresh fruit. So, be creative and use whatever your family will like. These muffins are great on their own with a bowl of fruit for breakfast, but would be equally good alongside a brunch casserole or quiche. Blessings...

Recipes: 

1-1/2 cups whole bran cereal, such as All-Bran Original
1 cup milk (I use 1%)
1 egg
1/4 cup cooking oil
1 cup unbleached all-purpose flour
1/4 cup sugar
2 tsp. baking powder
1/2 tsp. baking soda
1/2 tsp. ground cinnamon
1/2 tsp. finely shredded lemon peel
1/4 tsp. salt
1/2 cup chopped dried apricots.
The recipe is written for 1 cup fresh fruit ( such as chopped, peeled apples, apricots, nectarines, peaches, or plums; halved dark sweet cherries; whole blueberries or raspberries; or chopped bananas)

1. Lightly grease 12 muffin cups or line with paper bake cups.
2. In a small mixing bowl combine bran cereal and milk; let stand 3 minutes or until liquid is absorbed. Stir in egg and oil; set aside.
3. In a separate bowl stir together flour, sugar, baking powder, soda, cinnamon, lemon peel, and salt.
4. Add bran mixture all at once, stirring just until moistened (batter will be thick). Fold in fruit.
5. Fill prepared muffin cups two-thirds full of batter. Bake in 400 degree oven 20 to 25 minutes or until toothpick comes out clean.

Yield: 12 muffins
140 calories each according to the cookbook
4 gms. fiber each according to the cookbook
3 gms. fiber each using 1/2 cup dried apricots